Almost one in five (17%) single people plan to buy a property within the next two years, according to the latest findings from Alliance & Leicester’s movingimproving index.

The findings show that the number of single Britons – those who are not attached or co-habiting – intending to move within the next two years has increased by 13 per cent since January this year, with ‘The Bridget Jones Generation’ more likely to move than married couples (12%) and widowed, divorced and separated people (7%).

The movingimproving index has found that despite the increase in singletons on the move, overall demand remains stable, with 12 per cent of people saying they plan to move in the next two years. This figure remains unchanged since last autumn. Of those planning to move - just under half (5%) are planning to do so in the next 12 months with the remainder wanting to move within two years (7%).

Paul Cooper, Head of Mortgages at Alliance & Leicester, said: “The fact that single people look set to play a big part in the property market over the next two years reflects the times we live in.”

“Despite contradictory messages from many commentators, it is encouraging to see that demand for property is still strong. It is important that anyone wanting to buy a home, whatever their situation, seeks reputable advice, and looks for a mortgage that allows them to join the property game whilst borrowing sensibly within their means.”

Key findings of A&Ls quarterly survey:

• Intentions to move in the next two years have remained constant at 12% over the past year with just one blip in summer 2003 when intentions rose to 15%. This suggests a continued degree of caution amongst homebuyers.
• The trend for those planning to move in the next 12 months is similar, where intentions to move have remained constant at 5% in eight out of the past ten cycles. There have been just two anomalies - a slight blip in summer 2003 (6%) and a slight dip in winter 2004 (4%).
• As in previous cycles, men are more likely to be buying a home in the near future than women – 13% of men compared to 11% of women.
• Londoners are more likely than people in other areas to be planning a move (17%) and this figure is up 1% from this time last year. Whilst buoyant levels of activity are not unusual in the capital city, the other area of high activity is the East Midlands, with 14% planning a move within the next two years. People in the West Midlands are the least likely to move within the next two years (8%). This figure is down from 14% a year ago.
• East Anglia has seen the greatest decline in those intending to move over the next two years – from 17% in the winter to 11% this quarter.

Reasons for moving:

• Top reasons for moving are the need for more bedrooms (19%) and that buying is cheaper than renting (18%). With those in their 20s most likely to buy within the next two years (18%) and those in their 30s at 12%. These reasons may reflect demographics with homebuyers in their 20s most likely to be buying for the first time, and buyers in their 30s perhaps more likely to be planning a family.
• For homebuyers in Wales and Scotland the most common reason why people are intending to move is the perception that buying is cheaper than renting (32% and 22% respectively).
• The age group most likely to be planning a move to make money are those in their 40s (20%). Around the regions, homebuyers in the South West are the most likely to look to their property to make money (28%), whilst across in the South East homebuyers are the least likely to move for the same reason (8%).
• People in the South West and East Anglia are the most likely to be moving due to a change of job (14%).